Outside of digging up some old game tape from Florida, it’s tough to know what to expect from Cody Riggs. On paper, his 26 starts at Florida — on one of the SEC’s best defenses — validate his reputation, part of the reason why our panel judged him the 14th best player on the Irish roster.

When Brian Kelly was hired to take over Notre Dame’s football program, he developed a reputation not just as an offensive mastermind or spread offense guru, but rather that of a “program builder.” As we move into the Top 15 of our annual Top 25 countdown, we get a snapshot of the fruits of Kelly’s labor.

After arriving on campus as a safety, junior C.J. Prosise has made the switch to wide receiver, giving the Irish an intriguing athlete in the slot. Irish A-to-Z continues with a look at one of the Irish’s most physically impressive receivers.

After presenting our first five players on the countdown, we move on to another group of players with high expectations. And while four others will certainly draw attention, we come to our annual exercise on evaluating the promise of Ishaq Williams.

It’s time for the first installment of this year’s Top 25. As we count by five from the top of the list to the bottom, we’ll get our first peek at some of the young talent that’s going to be tasked with carrying the Irish forward this season.

After starting four games at wide receiver as a freshman, sophomore James Onwualu opened spring practice on the defensive side of the football. Irish A-to-Z continues with a hybrid defender who could play a key role in Brian VanGorder’s system.

In the high stakes world of college football, head coaches are getting paid more and more to be the face of highly profitable programs. And after Forbes ran their calculations, they named Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly the best coach for the money over the past two seasons.

As we roll out this year’s rankings, it’s worth putting up a special post just for the players who just missed being ranked in our final composite ranking. With depth on this roster significant, and several unknown quantities expected to play big roles, quite a few players left off the Top 25 list will likely be a big contributor this season.

When Notre Dame opens fall camp on Monday, they will do so without offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock. Head coach Brian Kelly released a statement on Sunday announcing that a medical procedure will keep Denbrock away from the team for a few weeks.

After spending two seasons in a reserve role at outside linebacker, junior Romeo Okwara moves into the starting lineup at defensive end. Irish A-to-Z continues with a look at one of the unproven keys of the Irish defense.

The wait is over. Brian Kelly kicked off the 2014 season with an hour-long press conference, putting an end to the offseason abyss as Notre Dame begins training camp on Monday. Coming off a 9-4 season and welcoming back quarterback Everett Golson, expectations are once again sky-high under the dome, where the Irish welcome back a young but talented football team.

While Kyle Brindza is holding down both the placekicking and punting jobs, freshman Tyler Newsome was brought in on scholarship to take over punting when Brindza’s record-setting career in South Bend is over. Irish A-to-Z continues with a look at the incoming freshman specialist.

The first Amway Coaches Poll has been released and Notre Dame checks in at 17th in the preseason poll. It’s a fair spot for the Irish, who are coming off a 9-4 season and have talent — but also questions — on both sides of the ball.

With fall right around the corner and the university beginning classes in less than a month, Notre Dame football — and all fall sports — are right around the corner. That means that summer break is over (if there was one), for athletic director Jack Swarbrick.

Rumblings over the summer have only confirmed what many suspected from the moment he committed to Notre Dame: Quenton Nelson expects to play in 2014. Irish A-to-Z continues with a look at the five-star freshman who looks intent on battling his way onto the field.

In incoming freshman Sam Mustipher, offensive line coach Harry Hiestand found himself another interior offensive lineman who looks the part of a future starter. Irish A-to-Z looks closer at the Maryland native.

Say this for Nyles Morgan: He’s not one to shy away from expectations. When the freshman linebacker takes the field when training camp opens next week at Culver Military Academy, he’ll be wearing No. 5, last seen on Notre Dame’s most decorated defender ever. Irish A-to-Z continues with one of the Irish’s most prized recruits from the 2014 cycle.

One of four fifth-year players on the Irish roster, Kendall Moore has been a part of the Notre Dame football program for a long time. Irish A-to-Z continues with a look at a veteran linebacker who is likely relegated to special teams in 2014.

Notre Dame’s inexperienced tight end depth chart has taken a hit. A report by Chris Hine of the Chicago Tribune revealed that sophomore tight end Mike Heuerman is working his way back from hernia surgery and won’t be ready for the start of fall camp.